Vandalism marred the beginning of Holy Week for parishioners of St. Mary of Perpetual Help in Bridgeport. On Tuesday, April 3, the church’s copper cross, which dates to 1895, was found nearly bent in half and dented.

The nonprofit civic group Friends of Downtown named the National Hellenic Museum downtown Chicago’s best new cultural institution for 2011. The museum, along with other award winners, was recognized at the Friends of Downtown’s annual best of downtown awards April 4.

An after-hours immediate care clinic staffed and run by the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System’s emergency department has opened. The facility is designed to treat patients who need non-emergency medical attention for minor injuries, illnesses, and immunizations.

Rush University Medical Center’s new tower at 1620 W. Harrison St. has earned LEED gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, verified by the Green Building Certification Institute.

Emmaus Ministries and New Life Community Tri-Taylor will host a community health event, Know Your Status—Standing Together Against HIV/AIDS, on Saturday, May 19, at Chicago Hope Academy’s outdoor area at 2130 W. Ogden Ave.

After 34 years of ownership, Joey Airdo recently sold his Granddaddy’s Sub Sandwich restaurant to longtime employee Javier Zapian.

Look at the 1500 block of west Jackson Boulevard. Notre Dame de Chicago Church. The Vietnam Survivors Memorial. All are here today because of William L. Lavicka, leader of the preservationist movement on the Near West Side from the 1970s until his death April 18.

Environmentalists in Pilsen, Little Village, and throughout the city claimed a major victory recently when Midwest Generation announced it would shut down the two coal-fired power plants it operates within city limits.

Developers have proposed a new office building for 625 W. Adams St.—but not without opposition from some West Loop community members.

The two biggest surprises of election night occurred in races in which the incumbents had come under heavy criticism for questionable activities. In one race, the surprise was that the incumbent lost. In the other, the surprise was that the incumbent won.